I am not sure how this book got added to my reading list, but it was a good thing. The novel (over 1300 pages!) is set in India in the early 1950s. Th...moreI am not sure how this book got added to my reading list, but it was a good thing. The novel (over 1300 pages!) is set in India in the early 1950s. The center of the story Lata, and her experiences and decisions as her mother searches for a suitable boy for her to marry. Around her the author weaves the story of a newly independent country, one that has already dealt with the partition of Pakistan, and the social and political challenges its citizens face. These are reflected through the personal events members of Lata's and three other related families experience over the course of a year. I enjoyed this book, not just for the story of Lata and the dilemmas she faces, but for the insight into Indian culture and politics. I stopped looking up every word for types of clothing, food, musical instruments and other items the author mentions that I was unfamiliar with and just let myself enjoy the characters, the setting and the web of events and situations that is created within this complex society. Seth writes with compassion and humor, and enjoys interspersing poetry throughout the book. I wonder how much the culture has actually changed from the way it was sixty years ago.(less)
This was on my reading list, must have been another recommendation. I checked it out of the library and started reading it (over 600 pages) just a day...moreThis was on my reading list, must have been another recommendation. I checked it out of the library and started reading it (over 600 pages) just a day or two before leaving for Budapest for ten days. I decided to tote it with me - more weight to carry. I read it slowly on that trip, mostly just a few pages each night before going to sleep. But from the beginning I was drawn in. I don't regret taking it with me, because it stayed fresh, a few pages at a time. When I got home, I gave it more attention, finishing it in just a few days. The author intrigues me, his own life has many parallels with the protagonist, but this is a novel, not a biography. Of course it is informed by biography. Verghese is a professor at Stanford University and has attended the Iowa Writer's Workshop. The book is filled with descriptions of medical procedures and hospital life, but they enhance, not detract from the development of the plot and the characters. The portrait of Ethiopia is intriguing, I want to see the land myself, to taste the food. This is a book I will recommend to all my friends.
'An unforgettable journey into one man's remarkable life, and an epic story about the power, intimacy, and curious beauty of the work of healing others.'(less)
I have read the first two books in Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie mysteries, and enjoy her quirky characters. So I checked this book out of the librar...moreI have read the first two books in Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie mysteries, and enjoy her quirky characters. So I checked this book out of the library. It had won the Whitbread Prize and sounded a bit quirky as well. The narrator is Ruby Lennox and this is her story - from the moment of her conception through middle age. As she tells of her life, we also learn about the prior three generations of her family - their problems, disappointments and losses. Ruby's humor and sarcasm offset the sadness that pervades this history, but they aren't enough protect her against the tragic secret of her own childhood. Atkinson builds to the moment when Ruby learns of it and it is then that we understand the strength of Ruby's character. The structure of the book is interesting. Each chaper has a 'footnote' that follows it. The reference to the footnote is somewhere in the chapter. It is through these footnotes that the reader can piece together the history of the four generations. As I read the story, I would jump to the footnote and read it when I came to the reference, then return to the chapter and finish it. The book could be read in the standard linear way. That is the reader's decision. I enjoyed this structure of storytelling. It creates greater interest and involvement for the reader, I think. It also emphasizes how the past influences the future, and how the present can so easily misunderstand the past. This was a terrific novel. I plan to read more of Kate Atkinson. She is a writer to experience.(less)
After reading Resurrection by Pat Barker, I thought I would try an earlier book. I cannot remember why I picked this one, but I am not sorry I read it...moreAfter reading Resurrection by Pat Barker, I thought I would try an earlier book. I cannot remember why I picked this one, but I am not sorry I read it. It provides a good look at how changes in the world and society affected one woman's life. At first, I didn't think I would like it, but I didn't have to read to far to realize that I had been pulled into the story. There are better books, even by this author, but I am not sorry I read it. The characters are well-developed and the alternation between current day and the past make the story more interesting that if it were told chronologically.(less)
I happened upon this book as I was looking at recipients of the Man Booker Prize. It is one of the most beautifully written books I have read. It tell...moreI happened upon this book as I was looking at recipients of the Man Booker Prize. It is one of the most beautifully written books I have read. It tells the story of extraordinary two-egg twins - Estha and Rahel, and their childhood in southern India. The almost dream-like quality of their characters' lives contrasts with the harsh reality of the political and social maneuverings in which they live. The author slowly builds the story to reach the point where the twins' innocence and childhood are cruelly destroyed, but implies that their love for one another will at least soothe, if not conquer, their hurt and guilt.(less)
This book was a New York Times Notable Book, maybe that is what put it on my reading list. In any case, I looked forward to something that would touch...moreThis book was a New York Times Notable Book, maybe that is what put it on my reading list. In any case, I looked forward to something that would touch my emotions and expand my understanding of the human condition. I was sorely disappointed. This was not a bad book, but I kept waiting for it to get better, to give me more of the characters and their relationships. I felt I was looking at a surface, but the depths were murky. Perhaps that is because the characters were murky. Isabel is searching for answers, for the right future. But she doesn't confront the things that keep her from finding them. I didn't have the sense that she was afraid, I felt that her character was not developed enough in the story. We see glimpses of relationships, but not enough of any of them to understand the dynamics. The end of the book really surprised me; it was unexpected and made no sense. (less)
I was looking at books nominated for the Man Booker Prize and saw this one listed. I had not read anything by Iris Murdoch and decided I needed to rea...moreI was looking at books nominated for the Man Booker Prize and saw this one listed. I had not read anything by Iris Murdoch and decided I needed to read something more intellectually stimulating than the mysteries I consume, so checked it out from the library. I was about half way through the book when I knew it was a book I wanted to own. I need to make notes in this book. This would be a good book to include in a modern literature class or a good book for a book club. There is so much to discuss. I do think at the end Murdoch ties everything up in a bit too many convenient bows, but it is a minor distraction.
Murdoch taught philosophy at Oxford for some time, and she lays out philosophical propositions through the characters in the book, with John Ducane at the center. Reading this book put me in mind of Byatt's Possession, which I must read again some day.
'Happiness,' said Willy, 'is a matter of one's most ordinary everyday mode of consciousness being busy and lively and unconcerned with self. To be damned is for one's everyday mode of consciousness to be unremitting agonizing preoccupation with self.' Many of the characters in the book are much concerned with themselves and how they are perceived.
This book stimulates the intellect and the emotions, and should to be savored. (less)
This book has been on my reading list for decades. I remember hearing unfavorable comments about it, but because I loved Rebecca so much, I wanted to...moreThis book has been on my reading list for decades. I remember hearing unfavorable comments about it, but because I loved Rebecca so much, I wanted to read this. It was really awful. The characters were not well-defined. I could not care for any of them, especially Mary. The story was not well-developed; there were too many unanswered questions. I had to force myself to ready every page. I may investigate other books by this author, but recommend staying away from this one.(less)
If this book wasn't due back to the library the day I finished it, I might have read it again. It is an unusual story, one that raises lots of questio...moreIf this book wasn't due back to the library the day I finished it, I might have read it again. It is an unusual story, one that raises lots of questions about relationships, social conventions and self-deception. Although the book is not long, it is one to read slowly because it forces the reader to think.(less)
This was an odd book, one that I noticed in Barnes and Noble and decided to read. I am not sorry that I did, but it was not as good as I was hoping it...moreThis was an odd book, one that I noticed in Barnes and Noble and decided to read. I am not sorry that I did, but it was not as good as I was hoping it would be. The most interesting aspect of the book was reading the lost letters from Shakespeare's time. There are interesting characters and relationships in the book - it is the plot that at times becomes a bit tedious. I often can read a book in one sitting if it really captures my interest. I had a hard time getting through this one - if I read twenty pages at a sitting I was doing well. That all being said, I would recommend the book, although with discrimination. It is not a book for everyone.(less)
Benjamin Black is a pseudonym of John Banville. This book was touted as a novel of suspense. I am not sure I would call it that, but I would call it a...moreBenjamin Black is a pseudonym of John Banville. This book was touted as a novel of suspense. I am not sure I would call it that, but I would call it a very good book. While trying to understand the truth about a dead body, a pathologist is caused to face the truth about himself and members of his family. There is a second book with the same protagonist - Quirke, which I would like to read. I also want to read Banville's book The Sea, which won the Booker Prize a few years ago. His writing is intelligent and he portrays the tragedy that can often be found hidden in families.(less)
This is a most interesting book. It is told from the point of view of an autistic teen. I liked it very much and highly recommend it. I found it thoug...moreThis is a most interesting book. It is told from the point of view of an autistic teen. I liked it very much and highly recommend it. I found it though-provoking. It made me consider the way I react to the world around me in a new light.(less)
I think I learned about this book from this website. I read the first part - about 100 pages, then put the book aside to read other things. The fact t...moreI think I learned about this book from this website. I read the first part - about 100 pages, then put the book aside to read other things. The fact that I had to return it to the library spurred me to pick it up again. I found that I began to get interested in the story and am glad I read it. I will say it has a great opening: 'After killing the red-haired man, I took myself off to Quinn's for an oyster supper.' This book provides numerous examples of how the dark aspects of people's personalities ruin their lives, so it is not a cheerful book. There were few characters in it with whom I could sympathize, not even the main character whose life was 'stolen' by another. (less)
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